Traffic wardens issued 120 tickets for vehicles parked on cycle tracks in Cork city last year – on par with 123 in 2017.

However, there was a significant drop in fines issued for parking in bus lanes – 192 were issued last year compared to 307 in 2017.

Last year, Gardaí based at Anglesea Street issued a warning to motorists to stay out of cycle lanes following concerns from cyclists who had been affected.

Councillor Joe Kavanagh (FG) said the issue of people parking in cycle lanes is still a live issue and needs to be monitored on a continual basis.

“There seems to be an issue in the flouting of parking laws on cycle lanes in particular. In the interests of public safety, I would ask that this is monitored on an ongoing basis.

"This is a general problem across the city. We are investing very heavily in cycling infrastructure and the last thing we need is cars parking in them and pushing cyclists and pedestrians out onto the road. It is a public safety issue.

"Alfred Street behind the railway station is a case in point. There are always cars parked there," he added.

City Hall plans to increase cycling infrastructure as part of a number of projects this year ahead of the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy going to public consultation.

City Council director of roads and transportation Gerry O'Beirne said implementation of the Cork Cycle Network Plan has seen cycle infrastructure provided at Skehard Road, Ballyvolane to the city centre and as part of the City Centre Movement Strategy in the last 12 months.

“The roll out of sustainable transport infrastructure, including cycle infrastructure, will continue in 2019 with construction of such projects as, the Harley Street pedestrian and cycle bridge, phase one of the Passage to City Centre Greenway Enhancement project, Phase one of the Wilton Corridor Enhancement Project [and the] Docklands to City Centre Network Improvement Scheme,” said Mr O' Beirne.

“The provision of new cycle infrastructure is expected to accelerate in the coming years with the upcoming publication of the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy and it associated funding of sustainable transport,” he added.